Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

July 2022 Android Security Update Available for Google Pixel Phones

Kellen July 6, 2022 26

The holiday pushed us two days, but here we are accepting delivery of the July Google Pixel update and security patch. Google released the latest update for its Pixel phones, which should be minor after the big June Pixel Feature Drop we all got last month. As...

With Verizon 3G Shutting Down, Carrier Offers Free 4G LTE Phones

Kellen July 6, 2022 10

When Verizon set the end of 2022 as the time frame for shutting down their 3G network once and for all, we sort of assumed another delay would happen. There have been several at this point. They aren't the only carrier struggling to pull the plug. But as the...

Beware Glance, Coming Soon to an Android Lockscreen Near You

Tim July 6, 2022 25

In late 2017, Google updated its developer policy, disallowing lockscreen ads. To quote them, the updated policy said that apps “may not introduce ads or features that monetize the locked display of a device.” Well, those days are long behind us, with Google-...

Google Pixel “At a Glance” Could Soon Show Timers From Your Smart Speakers

Kellen July 5, 2022 5

The non-removable At a Glance widget on the main screen of Google Pixel phones has quickly gone from an annoying widget that did little to an advanced system that can show you all sorts of information. It wasn't long ago that it was basically just used as a...

Tuesday Tidbit: Remember How Hard It Was to Buy the Pixel 6?

Tim July 5, 2022 20

I had the privilege of spending an evening with my brother over the weekend, who just so happens to be a big Google Pixel fan. I was mentioning that the Android 13 beta has been really great so far and that he should give it a try on his Pixel 6 Pro. Then we...

Nest Hub Max’s “Look and Talk” Feature is My New Favorite

Kellen July 1, 2022 9

At Google I/O back in May, Google announced a feature for the Nest Hub Max called "Look and Talk." The idea behind it was to allow users to interact with their Nest Hub without needing to say "OK, Google" and instead just looking at the device within a certain...

Wear OS 3 Pushed Fossil to Make New Companion App

Kellen July 1, 2022 8

Fossil released new hybrid watches last week under their Gen 6 brand. The watches don't run Wear OS, but they are noteworthy because they launched alongside a revamped Fossil Smartwatches app that was used to setup the hybrid line. Feedback for the new version...

Google Password Manager Just Got So Many Sweet New Features

Kellen June 30, 2022 15

There are few tools I use as often as Google Password Manager, the built-in password locker you'll find for autofill settings in Android and iOS, as well as in Chrome. It saves an enormous amount of time during daily activities that often involve signing-in to...

How to Claim the $20 Verizon Outage Credit

Kellen January 15, 2026 15

Verizon announced today that it would give all of its customers a $20 credit after experiencing a 10-hour outage yesterday....

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Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 Just Released for Pixel Phones

Kellen January 14, 2026 15

Google has released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 for all of its still-supported Pixel phones, tablets, and foldables. After...

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Google Just Gave Gemini “Personal Intelligence”

Kellen January 14, 2026 15

Google's Gemini now has Personal Intelligence and can reason across your data, assuming you give it access. For AI as an...

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2026 January Pixel Update Available for Your Pixel Phone

Kellen January 12, 2026 15

We've entered 2026 and the first Google Pixel update of the year is here. For those with a still-supported Pixel phone or...

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Apple to Use Gemini to Power New Features on iPhone

Tim January 12, 2026 15

Google and Apple released a joint statement today, announcing a multi-year collab which will bring Gemini to Apple's...

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Galaxy S25 Sales Going Up When It Should Be Going Down

Tim January 12, 2026 15

There's something funky going on with Samsung's Galaxy S25 series sales numbers. As one might imagine, after the first few...

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Google Gave Your Gmail 3 Actually Useful Gemini Features for Free

Kellen January 8, 2026 15

Not that any of us expected Google to dial back on the Gemini push as we enter 2026, but I'm also not sure I anticipated them...

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T-Mobile’s New “Better Value” Has Lots of Data and a 3-Line Requirement

Kellen January 7, 2026 15

T-Mobile announced its new Better Value plan with all of the data, included streaming perks, and a 3-line requirement. T-...

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Google’s Latest Ad Pokes at iPhone for Copying Its Features, iPhone 17 Rumors

Kellen May 6, 2025 26

The iPhone 17 won't arrive for months, likely after Google releases its Pixel 10 series. For the most part, all talk around...

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Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen October 11, 2023 26

Some of you have been lucky enough to receive your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro pre-orders a day early, thanks to Google's wildly...

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Pixel Watch 2 Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen October 11, 2023 26

The Pixel Watch 2 has been on my wrist for a full week and my list of notes has only grown. I've tested sleep tracking, put...

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Video: Galaxy Z Flip 5, Z Fold 5 Unboxing!

Tim July 27, 2023 26

Samsung was gracious enough to send us its latest foldables devices, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5. Naturally,...

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Google Pixel 7a Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen May 10, 2023 26

Because the Google Pixel 7a is available today for you to run out and buy at $499, you may not want to wait around for our...

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VIDEO: Galaxy S23 Ultra Unboxing!

Tim February 3, 2023 26

Unboxing time, baby! We have the Galaxy S23 Ultra in-house, a bit before they're set to make their way to buyers later this...

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Pixel 7 Pro: First 10 Things to Do!

Tim October 13, 2022 26

Fancy new Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro just show up at your doorstep? Perfect, then this video is for you. As is tradition, we've...

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Pixel Watch: First 10 Things To Do!

Kellen October 13, 2022 26

The day that most of you will receive your Google Pixel Watch from pre-orders is here. It's time for you to slap Google's...

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